Balochistan Issue

Balochistan Issue

Balochistan Issue
Historical sequence
1947: At the time of Partition, Balochistan consisted of four princely states, namely Makran, Lasbela, Kharan and Kalat. The first three willingly joined Pakistan in 1947, while Ahmed Yaar Khan, the Khan of Kalat declared independence.
April 1948: Pakistani army invaded Kalat and the Khan surrendered. His brother, Prince Abdul Karim, continued to resist with around 700 guerrillas but was soon crushed.
1954: Anti-One Unit movement in Balochistan turned violent. Nawab Mir Nauroz Khan Zarakzai, chief of Zehri tribe, led a resistance of 1,000 militia against the army.
July 1960: Nauroz’s son was hanged after being convicted of treason.
1962: Nauroz died in Kohlu prison, becoming a symbol of Baloch resistance.
July 1963: Insurgents operating from 22 camps in Marri, Mengal and Bugti areas started to bomb railway tracks and ambushed convoys. The Army retaliated by destroying vast areas of Marri tribe’s land.
1969: Baloch separatists agreed to a ceasefire. Yahya Khan abolished One Unit.
1970: Balochistan was recognised as the fourth province of the then West Pakistan.
1972: The first ever elected government comprising Baloch nationalists was formed with Attaullah Mengal as CM.
1973: President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto dismissed the elected Balochistan government; this led to protests and calls for Balochistan’s secession.
April, 1973: Baloch militants began to ambush army convoys. Bhutto ordered sending more troops to the province. The fighting was more widespread than in 1950s and 1960s. Several nationalist leaders were put behind bars.
July, 1974: Baloch militants cut off roads and rail links cutting Balochistan from other provinces.
1974: Hostilities climaxed with drawn-out battles. Military support was provided by Iran against the resistance of some 50,000 Baloch fighters.
1976: Dispersed Baloch warriors formed Balochistan Peoples Liberation Front (BPLF) under the leadership of Mir Hazar Khan Marri.
1977: After the...